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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
The New Winners tennis tournament came to an end yesterday with Andrew Kunaka and Rufaro Magarira clinching the Under-18 boys and girls titles respectively at Harare Sports Club. The three-day event featured over 140 players from across the country. In the boys Under-18 category, Kunaka emerged the winner when he beat Panashe Garah 6-4, 7-6(2) in a closely contested final.

It was a double for Kunaka as he went on to claim the doubles title with his partner Taona Mhwandagara after they overpowered Adonis Jerome and Henry Munengwa 6-2, 7-6(8). Kunaka feels the tournament provided him with the challenge he needed as he looks forward to other tournaments lined up for the year.

“I think it was a good tournament because it had a bit of competition than the other tournaments that we have played in before. There were many entries, I think we played well. I was happy with the competition because the entries were a bit more, so we played competitive matches from quarter-finals going up,” said Kunaka.

The 17-year-old is now shifting his focus to the Under-18 Africa Junior Championships coming in a few months’ time.

“I am up for the AJC Under-18s in March. With the way I played, I think I am ready, I just have to practice more till I get to AJC,” said Kunaka.

In the girls section, Magarira completed her fine run with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Beverly Matsiwe to be crowned champion. She then partnered Claire Machisa for the doubles and they beat Tsitsi Mahere and Victoria Sasinka 6-4, 6-3. For Magarira, the victory can only be a good motivation ahead of the zonal championships running from next Monday to January 16 in Gaborone, Botswana.

“It feels good, I have won quite a few Under-18 tournaments. It is a motivation because like now I know that I have confidence and I know I will do good. I will just do my best, work hard for it,” said Magarira.

The boys Under-14 title went to Benedict Badza after he prevailed over Takura Mhwandagara 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 while Tadiwanashe Mauchi dismissed Tanatswa Musabayeka 6-2, 6-1 in the girls finals. Thompson Thomu was on top of his game as he beat Sebastian Rodriguez 6-1, 6-3 in the boys Under-12. Rutendo Chirimumimba emerged victorious in the girls section after defeating Kupakwashe Kanyore 6-4, 6-3.

New Winners tournament director Enock Tafirenyika applauded the players for an interesting event and said it was also good preparation for the zonal championships’ team. Zimbabwe is sending a 12-member team to Botswana for the championships and they left the country yesterday.

“We had very disciplined players and the standard of play was good. We could see some improvements especially in the lower age groups. And also this tournament helped, we have got players who are going to be travelling to Botswana, who are going to be playing in a zonal ITF/CAT tournament in Botswana. It actually really helped them to prepare for that tournament,” Tafirenyika said.

The tournament was the first event of the year and most of the junior players took advantage to assess their state of preparedness for 2018.